Emma’s Journey to Healing – Part I

Update from Kumi Orthopedic Hospital (by Nicolas and Daniel)

Thursday August 7th was a busy day in Emma’s journey to healing. Emma is short for Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Every day since his surgery this past Monday we have experienced God with us. The surgery stabilized his femur and removed the dead portion of bone from the double break he experienced almost a year ago. Thanks to existing and many new partners of AEM, the funds were raised in less than 12 hours for this first surgery. We praise God for His provision and those who answered the call to meet this overwhelming need. To give to his 2nd surgery go HERE. To read about his condition that led to surgery read the blog post.

While we (Daniel, Grace & Praise) were traveling to visit to Emma in the hospital today, Nico provided the early morning update:

Physical Therapy

“Good afternoon, the physiotherapists came in and took Emma for the hard walk. In about 2 meters he was oozing perspiration all-over his forehead as he painstakingly leaped forward with hearty encouragement from all of us. The distance he leaped has increased compared to that of the previous day. One lady physiotherapist asked us to take him to the outside lobby so he can feel the breeze too. She wants him to avoid being stuck in bed all day. Aside from that he’s had lunch (avocado, silver fish, corn bread and an egg).”

I was surprised to hear the word LEAP and asked “did he really leap?” and Nico replied, “oh yes he did!” Nico shares that “Though trembling, his healthy left leg too is in unfamiliar territory. Because it’s been such a while since it was put to use, he had a hard time standing on it stretched. So the physiotherapists took turns stretching his knee to get a quite straight posture.”

Nico updates us on the medical detail part of the surgical healing. A drain was sutured into the wound incase of leaking fluids. After 4 days of no leaks, they were able to remove those sutures and remove the drain today. Progress – thank you Lord. We are all seeing Jehovah Rapha at work in Emma’s life.

Team AEM Arrives

So we arrived at Kumi Orthopedic Center with Grace and Praise, and found Emma sitting upright with his teddy bear watching TV. Emma had eaten lunch taken his pain medicine. We asked the family what supplies needed to be added and made a list. This included sweet bananas, charcoal, meat, drinking water and we added one more charcoal stove to reduce cooking time. Nico asked us to add more eggs so Emma can have four eggs a day in four intervals up from the two he’s always had daily.

Praise brought some arts and crafts and legos for fine motor engagement and Grace began preparing a nutritious meal as Daniel went to make purchases. We are so blessed by the team God is providing. Grace Okwara is an Environmental Health Officer, with expertise in hygiene, sanitation, health promotion, nutrition and health education. She is helping both educating on and preparing a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals to support Emma’s nutritional needs. She also helped during the pre-op phase to provide comprehensive care to Emma, by ensuring that his surroundings including bedding and utensils were clean and hygienic.

Emma was so encouraged by the visit from the AEM Team. Everyone is excited to see smiles on his face! Hear his precious little voice.

Niko talked to the doctor and he says that Emma will be discharged after the current two weeks. Then he will be brought back to the hospital after two weeks of home stay. This will give us time to plan for his next surgery. For the meantime he is still undergoing treatment which includes daily physical therapy.

Next Steps

We are praying and planning for any unique needs he may have while healing at home in the village for two weeks. While the final bill is unknown for this first surgery and stay (due to ongoing medications) our partners new and old gave generously and we believe it is fully covered. We do not have the estimate for his second surgery to complete a bone graft from his lower right leg to his right femur. If all goes well this second and final surgery will be in less than a month’s time. We are opening up the link to GIVE towards his bone graft surgery. Thank you for being a part of his journey to healing.

Dr. Ekure just visited on his routine evening visits and advised that Emma stretch his hands regularly to increase on his muscle 💪 mass. Emma got started right away. Please keeping praying for his journey to healing and praising God with us. – Daniel Okwara

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11